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Surgery for Your Deviated Septum

Some people undergo nose surgery in order to help overcome a deviated septum. The septum is a structure located between the nostrils that separate the nasal passages. Made of both bone and cartilage, its job is to direct airflow and support the nose. A person with a deviated septum has cartilage or bone in his or her nose that is not straight. As a result of the crooked septum, the patient may have difficulty breathing. In addition, some people with a deviated septum have problems with snoring and with sleep apnea.

Causes of a Deviated Septum

A septum can be deviated as the result of a birth defect of from an injury, such as when the nose is broken. The septum can also become deviated during the aging process, causing it to bend to one side or another. In fact, most people have a somewhat crooked septum; it just isn’t a problem because the bend is so slight. Nose surgery to fix the problem is only necessary when the deviated septum causes breathing problems or excessive and problematic snoring.

Problems Associated with a Deviated Septum

Some people with a deviated septum do not experience problems. Others have difficulty breathing, particularly on one side or experience frequent runny noses. Sleep apnea is another common occurrence for those who have a deviated septum. Sleep apnea is a disorder causing a person to stop breathing or to have slowed breathing during sleep that lasts for 10 seconds or more. Sleep apnea can be mild, moderate, or severe. The severity of the disorder depends on how many times the person’s breathing stops or slows during the night.

There are three forms of sleep apnea. The type associated with a deviated septum is called obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA. This type of apnea results from a blocked airflow during sleep such as; the narrowed passageway caused by the deviated septum.

Surgery for a Deviated Septum

Nose surgery performed for the purpose of correcting a deviated septum is called septoplasty. It is also sometimes referred to as septal reconstruction or submucous resection. The procedure is sometimes performed along with other surgical procedures intended to help treat chronic sinusitis, bleeding, inflammation, or sleep apnea. It may also be done in order to allow the surgeon to gain access to removing nasal polyps.

Before the surgery takes place, the surgeon will use an endoscope to look into the nasal passage. This thin medical instrument contains a light and makes it possible to see behind the deviated septum. The endoscope is also sometimes used during the actual surgery.

In order to undergo the procedure, the patient may be given either a local or a general anesthesia. The actual operation generally takes only 60 to 90 minutes and is often done on an outpatient basis at a surgery center. In order to repair the septum, the doctor works through the nostrils. He makes an incision in order to separate the mucosa, which is an outer layer of soft tissue lining the nasal passages and the septum, from the bone and cartilage. The surgeon then straightens the bent cartilage and replaces the mucosa.

Risks of Surgery

As with all surgeries, there are risks associated with surgery on the septum. In addition to common risks, such as those encountered by patients with diabetes and heart problems, patients may have a negative reaction to the anesthesia used during surgery. In some cases, a small hole forms in the septum as a result of the surgery, as well. This hole is rarely serious and usually does not require treatment. In some cases, however, additional surgery may be necessary to repair the hole. This is particularly true if it causes discomfort to the patient of if an infection occurs.

After Surgery

After surgery is complete, the patient may have to wear a nasal splint or have a pack inside his or her nose for a period of time. The splint is intended to help keep the septum straight while it heals. The packing also assists with this, as well as helps stop bleeding. The packing may need to stay in place for up to three days. Both the splint and the pack have tubes placed in them to help the patient breathe. Often, patients are instructed to refrain from blowing their noses following the procedure and to sneeze with their mouths open to help alleviate pressure as the nose heals.

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